The government last year has presented their circular economy strategy. Waste less, consume less, use less resources. Support technology, designed not to throw away after a year, but to reuse, remanufacture and - recycle only at the last step.
The state’s circular economy strategy aims to make Luxembourg a knowledge hub for circular economy and provide resources and products for the greater region. Foster businesses that work within this value chain and support initiatives.
On Local Matters this week, we focus on the circular economy. To present some initiatives that are active in this domain. Ten years ago, way before the government started promoting circular economy, volunteers founded the Repaircafé Letzebuerg. They regularly host repaircafés in different locations across the country. In Capellen, a village attached to the municipality of Mamer, they meet in the cultural centre. Once they open the doors on Saturday, the first people come in to bring their devices. One carries a big bag with a coffeemachine, the second one brings a draft beer dispenser. Ten minutes later, the working stations are occupied with people loosening the screws of vacuum cleaners, electric cooling boxes and hairdryers.
After dismantling the machine and checking all the components, Trevis together with his client check an online video to see how the machine works and to find the source of the problem.
The aim of the repaircafé is threefold: Reduce waste and its impact on the environment, create social interaction, and finally: build and exchange knowledge and skills. To participate as a volunteer repairer, no specific knowledge or background is needed. The philosophy of the repaircafé: Anyone can learn anything.
At a table in the front, two people are working on a coffee machine. They’ve already removed the plastic back. And the repairer now attaches a voltmeter to check the functioning of the electricity supply.
Not everything can be repaired but often replacement pieces help to revive the electric corpses. The repaircafé is the first of its kind in Luxembourg. In Mamer, the municipality supports the initiative as in different other communes across the country as well.
If you want to out when the repaircafé is in your region, check out their website repaircafé.lu.
Story from our Local Matters Archive.